Cerbat, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cerbat, Arizona
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 Cerbat, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Cerbat, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Mohave |
| Founded | 1860s |
| Elevation | 3,865 ft (1,178 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST (no DST)) |
| Post Office Opened: | December 23, 1872 |
| Post Office Closed: | June 15, 1912 |
Cerbat is a fascinating ghost town located in Mohave County, Arizona. It's nestled just west of the Cerbat Mountains. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, often because the main reason for the town, like a mine, closed down. Cerbat was once a busy mining community.
Contents
Discovering Cerbat: A Mining Ghost Town
How Cerbat Began
Mining for valuable minerals started in the Cerbat area in the late 1860s. Soon after, a small camp was set up for the miners. Cerbat was built in a deep canyon, about 38 miles (61 km) from a place called Hardyville.
Life in a Mining Town
Cerbat quickly grew into a busy and successful town. It had many buildings related to mining, as well as public buildings. Over 100 settlers lived in cabins here. The town also had important services like a school, a doctor's office, and even a lawyer's office.
Cerbat's Important Connections
In the 1870s, Cerbat was connected by a dirt road to other important places. These included Fort Rock, Camp Hualapai, and Prescott. This road helped people and goods move in and out of the town.
A County Seat for a Time
Cerbat was also important because it served as the third county seat for Mohave County. A county seat is the main town where the county government is located. Cerbat held this title until 1877, when another town, Mineral Park, became the new county seat.
The Post Office and a Name Change
The town's post office was a key part of daily life. It opened on December 23, 1872. However, like many mining towns, Cerbat eventually saw its population decline. The post office closed its doors on June 15, 1912. For a period, from June 25, 1890, to October 24, 1902, the town was actually known by a different name: Campbell.
What Remains Today
As of 2010, if you visit Cerbat, you can still see some parts of its past. There is a cemetery, where many of the early settlers were buried. You might also find a few old wooden buildings and stone foundations. These include the remains of a large mill and the building that once housed the post office. These ruins tell the story of a once-thriving mining town.
